Former Pop Idol contestant Gareth Gates will be on stage in Grantham later this month in Mad About The Musicals.

Gareth and Michael Courtney will sing a variety of favourites from the musicals penned by the likes of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show takes place on Friday, June 17, at The Meres leisure centre. To buy tickets call the box office on 01476 406158 or go to www.guildhallartscentre.com

Here Gareth tells us about the show and some facts about himself.

So you are visiting us with Mad About The Musicals. Tell us about the first ever musical you appeared in – at school/drama club etc? What did you play and how did it go?

I played the role of ‘Joseph’ in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the age of eight in my first school production and it was here my love of theatre began. I then went on to play the role in the West End for Andrew Lloyd Webber some 17 years later.

What was your first ‘professional’ musical theatre job? Was it post Pop Idol?

My first professional theatre job was the lead in Joseph, in the West End, post Pop Idol and just after I did Dancing on Ice. It was actually the first role I played in school, too – so from the school stage to the West End was an ambition fulfilled!

What’s your favourite musical of all time?

Les Miserables! I had the privilege of playing ‘Marius’ both on tour and in the West End of London. The music and dialogue is both moving and epic. It has a very special place in my heart.

Can you tell us how you got involved with the show and what people can expect on the night?

It’s a show that will appeal to many people, as even if you don’t know the individual musicals, you will probably know the songs. There has been some amazing music to come out of theatre shows in the last few decades, so we will be paying homage to them. Some shows I have appeared in and some will be new songs for me to sing, which is what I’m looking forward to

There’s a lot of Banter between you and your co-stars in Mad About The Musicals. Is comedy something you enjoy?

I love comedy – people think if you have a stutter you can’t be funny – when I am actually!.. I love playing jokes, the comedy role I have in Footloose – and yes I do love a bit of banter!

Tell us a funny backstage story...

I’ve had it all: from open zips on trousers, to forgetting lyrics! But the most mortifying experience was singing the ‘Heart Full Of Love’ duet in Les Miserables with a leading lady. She missed her entry and so I sang the song to myself!

What has the highlight of your career been to date?

Getting to number one for the first time was a highlight for me. Theatre wise, it would have to be playing Marius in Les Mis. Such an epic show and it was a honour to be a part of it.

What would your dream gig be?

Valjean - Les Mis - when I look old enough!

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

I always wanted to be involved in music. As a child I was never able to speak, and so music became my only form of expression. From then I knew that music was all I wanted in life. I began to play the piano and guitar from a very young age and sang in many choirs and bands. Music was all I wanted to be surrounded by.

What was the first musical you ever saw and how old were you?

The first musical I ever saw was The King and I! It came to the Bradford Alhambra and I went to see it with my mum. A few months later I auditioned to play one of the Siamese children... I got the part and made my debut performance on the very same stage!

What do you love most about performing live on stage?

It’s great to connect with an audience live. And when I’m singing I don’t have a stutter!. I can connect with an audience through music, which I love.

You famously said you have two left feet. Will we ever see you on Strictly Come Dancing?

I would love to do Strictly. This year I’ve been in the musical Footloose and the scariest thing was doing a solo dance scene – but after a lot of work, I’m pretty good actually even if I do say so!